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Supplements For Kids, Not All Are Bad
I get asked to recommend supplements for kids by their parents all the time. I am also asked at what age a young athlete should begin taking supplements. This is a tricky field to negotiate, perpetuated by a lot of ridiculous marketing efforts by irresponsible companies trying to capitalize on a multi-billion dollar industry.
First and foremost, a healthy diet is the best “supplement” of all. But in competitive athletics, an edge is always sought after. I have read nothing in research to indicate teenagers would not benefit from the addition of a protein supplement, whey protein to be specific, if they are already eating healthy and lifting weights on a regular basis. Research indicates that whey protein supplementation produces statistically significant results in both squat and bench press performance in high school male athletes who take whey protein as opposed to those who don’t. Also, several credible organizations in the fitness industry take the stance that post-pubescent athletes may benefit from the use of dietary supplementation.
Another supplement that I have found very useful in my practice is recovery drinks. These high-end formulas assist in regulating muscle glycogen levels in an efficient manner, enhancing the athlete’s ability to recover from strenuous exercise more quickly.
Finally, creatine is a popular supplement used in an attempt to increase lean body mass. There are many forms of creatine in the marketplace, some better than others. I don’t personally recommend this product very often for several reasons, although it has been proven to be an effective supplement in mass gaining studies.
In short, there are some products on the market that are safe, effective, and very helpful in the training process. Some are banned by the NCAA, some have questionable side effects, but there are great supplements that can really make a difference, as long as the athlete is training hard, and not expecting a magic result just by taking the product.
Train hard, play harder!
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